Meta Lost. Now What?

Meta Verdicts, Kids’ Harm, and the Push for Age VerificationHost Leslie Poston reviews two jury verdicts finding Meta liable for harming children: a New Mexico case ordering $375 million in civil penalties for concealing knowledge about child sexual exploitation and mental health impacts, and a Los Angeles negligence case where Meta and YouTube were found liable and Kaylee was awarded $6 million for worsened anxiety and depression from compulsive use starting at ages 6 and 9. Poston cites internal Meta research (Project Myst) and communications likening effects to drugs and gambling, arguing the fine is negligible versus Meta’s $201B revenue. She critiques rapid policy pivots to age verification and digital ID laws, describing requirements like government ID uploads and biometrics via third parties as surveillance, easily bypassed with VPNs, and harmful to those needing anonymity. She notes Meta’s lobbying and covert funding for age-verification groups, and offers questions about beneficiaries, fit to harm, psychology of surveillance, non-technological causes, exposure, and real accountability.00:00 Welcome and Overview00:30 Jury Verdicts Against Meta01:41 Evidence and Accountability Gap03:00 Policy Pivot to Age Verification04:11 Surveillance and Anonymity Risks06:01 Why Our Brains Accept Bad Fixes08:34 Meta Lobbying and Hidden Incentives09:40 Five Questions to Ask12:34 Closing Thoughts ★ Support this podcast ★